NIOSH: Healthcare Workers Most Injured by Sharps

Most sharps injuries—84%—occur among healthcare workers, NIOSH confirmed in a recently released analysis. Injuries from a needle or other sharp objects can expose workers to bloodborne pathogens, such as human immunodeficiency virus, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and other infectious diseases, NIOSH said in the September edition of its eNews.

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Healthcare Industry Can Lower Carbon Use With Focus on Energy Management

The healthcare industry—a vast category that includes businesses providing medical services, insurance, pharmaceuticals, supplies, and equipment—is also one of the largest contributors to greenhouse gas emissions. According to a recent Health Care Without Harm report, the global average among industrialized countries is nearly 10% of national emissions, even more than the shipping or aviation sectors.

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Quick Safety 69: Preventing Burns from Laparoscopy and Arthroscopy

On April 10, The Joint Commission published Quick Safety Issue 69: Preventing light source-related burns from laparoscopy and arthroscopy. Both arthroscopy and laparoscopy are done by inserting a narrow tube and fiber-optic camera into a small incision. For the camera to see anything in the incision, there needs to be adequate lighting, either using lamps or light cables.

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